The Commonwealth Financing Authority this week awarded a combined $2,280,676 to 16 community improvement, transportation and safety projects in Centre County.
Nearly all of the funding comes from the Local Share Account program, which distributes gaming revenues to support projects in the public interest.
“These investments help fund practical, local projects and services that will make a real difference for families and communities across Centre County,” said state Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, whose 82nd District received about $1.2 million in grants for nine projects. “From safer roads and more reliable emergency services to improved trails and essential equipment for our volunteer responders and townships, these awards help ensure that our communities are safer, more connected, and better prepared for the future.
Among the entities receiving grants around Centre County was the Nittany Valley Joint Recreation Authority, which was awarded $200,000 for the renovation and reopening of Kepler Pool in Bellefonte, according to state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte. The project — which recently cleared a major hurdle by getting pledges from each participating municipality to close a funding gape — also received a state Neighborhood Assistance Program grant of $4,500.
“I applaud and support the authority’s continued effort to bring back the pool for the Bellefonte community,” said Benninghoff, whose 171st District received $400,000 for projects in Centre County and $1.2 million in Mifflin County. “Doing so is a significant undertaking, and they are doing all they can to make this happen.”
“Kepler Pool has been long enjoyed by the Bellefonte community for nearly 50 years and after facing several uphill battles since its closure in 2020, we are moving ever closer with today’s approved state grants to revitalizing this incredible asset,” state Sen. Cris Dush R-Jefferson Co., whose 25th District includes Bellefonte. “The authority has been doing all it can to get this project to the finish line and I am happy to have joined Rep. Benninghoff in pushing for state support for this endeavor.”
State Rep. Scott Conklin’s, D- Rush Township, 77th District received more than $859,000 for six projects ranging from downtown State College and Philipsburg improvements to pedestrian safety to police equipment.
“These new funds will support projects to bring safer pedestrian travel, more efficient police and public safety services and improved amenities in our downtown,” Conklin said. “I am grateful to the CFA and our community partners for helping to secure this funding, which will improve safety and quality of life for residents.”
DECEMBER LOCAL SHARE ACCOUNT GRANT AWARDS IN CENTRE COUNTY
• Burnside Township – $122,100 for a municipal utility truck with snowplow to support road maintenance and winter operations.
• College Township – $250,000 for the Regional Bike/Pedestrian Path Project to build a roughly 1‑mile, 10‑ft shared‑use path along East College Avenue from Puddintown Road to the Penn State campus, enhancing connections and improving safety.
• Ferguson Township – $133,110 for pedestrian crossing improvements to the Science Park Road-Circleville Road crossing, including additional lighting, signage, a pedestrian refuge island, a pedestrian-activated warning light and crosswalk renovations.
• Howard Borough and the Howard Fire Company No. 1 – $30,475 for a double‑sided LED digital sign to broadcast public safety alerts and community information.
• Howard Township and the Howard Fire Company – $276,315 for a mini-pumper to improve rural firefighting and emergency response.
• Milesburg Borough Water Authority – $64,632 for the purchase of an excavator to assist water distribution upgrades and maintenance.
• Patton Township – $100,000 to for public safety improvements, including purchase of a police cruiser and new radio equipment. The radio system maintains communication between the police and public work crews and will allow them to fully integrate and upgrade the encrypted Pennsylvania State Police system.
• Penn Township – $100,000 for the purchase of a backhoe.
• Philipsburg Borough – $300,000 to replace damaged sidewalk sections in the downtown business area, including sidewalks on Front Street and the block of Laurel, Sixth, Seventh and Pine streets.
• Potter Township – $75,000 for the purchase of a new plow truck with snow removal attachments.
• Snow Shoe Borough – $141,110 for a multi‑street paving project to repair and repave key local roads.
• Snow Shoe Township – $145,775 for a new truck to support road maintenance and snow removal across a large service area.
• Snow Shoe Township – $67,159 for EMS facility renovations to improve energy efficiency and service quality for the local ambulance service.
• Spring Township – $25,000 for the purchase of two speed alert radar trailers.
• State College Borough – $133,110 to replace 70 trash and recycling receptacles throughout the downtown area.
• State College Borough Redevelopment Authority – $76,753 to to create a pocket park along Hiester Street from College Avenue to Calder Way and a public art gallery along Calder Way.
• Taylor Township – $125,000 to purchase a grader and backhoe.
